Medical marijuana moratorium mulled

Sheffield Lake City Council is still unsure if it should place a six-month moratorium on medical marijuana until the state of Ohio has made its regulations on the law.

Law Director David Graves told Council members during a work session meeting Oct. 18 that state law voters passed on medical marijuana has a specific provision allowing local communities to restrict the sale and cultivation of medical marijuana.

Surrounding communities have passed a moratorium, temporarily locking any sale or cultivation of marijuana.

“I know that at the state level, there’s a large administrative process and organization that has to be put in place before anything gets off the ground,” Graves said.

“I think that they’re anticipating that taking anywhere from another year to two years.”

He said he thought it would be important for Council to know that they can pass legislation to hold off on medical marijuana.

Councilwoman Leanna Stark said she thinks the city should place a moratorium until the state implements its regulations.

Councilman Bill Wtulich Jr. also agreed with Stark and said it would be smart.

Councilwoman Rosa Gee disagreed and said they won’t need to impose a moratorium because the state isn’t going to let anything happen until it figures out its rules.

“I don’t see any need to do any legislation at this point,” Gee said. “Somewhere in Lorain County, there is going to be a medical distributor. We own a shopping center, we also have no room for industry. I think we should really hesitate and wait to see what’s happening in the future.”

Gee said she doesn’t want to lose potential income that would be substantial, indicating some residents in Sheffield Lake will be involved in medical marijuana distribution.

The topic was moved back to the ordinance committee headed up by Councilman Steve Kovach.

According to the Marijuana Policy Project, Ohio’s medical marijuana law went into effect Sept. 8. The effect of the law allows the rule-making process for agencies that are involved in the program. After the rules are made, the system will be rolled out in late 2017 or 2018.

Patients then will have safe, regulated access to medical marijuana and legal protection.